Leechburg Area gains one, loses one school board member

Leechburg Area School District broke even on school board members this week.

The school board named Gina Bruno, 41, of West Leechburg to fill the unexpired term of Terri Smith, who resigned earlier this month.

But it also accepted the resignation of director Helen Yurjevich, who resigned as of Oct. 10.

Bruno, who has three children in the school district, will serve out Smith’s term, which expires in December of 2019.

“I think this is a good, small school district and I want to be part of the decision making,” Bruno said. “I’m pleased with the education my children are receiving and I want to be more involved in the school system.”

Bruno works as a physician’s assistant in the Ford City area and has lived in the school district for 15 years.

She was the only applicant for Smith’s seat.

Now, any school district resident interested in filling Yurjevich’s seat needs to apply by Nov. 12.

The school board hopes to name Yurjevich’s replacement on Nov. 14. Yurjevich’s term will also expire in December of 2019.

School Director Melanie Knight was named as school board liaison to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, replacing Smith.